Welcome initiatives for American researchers

Université Paris-Saclay is extremely concerned, as are many other higher education institutions, about the recent decisions taken by the American government, in particular those linked to science and academic freedom, which are the very foundation of our democracies. This is why Université Paris-Saclay is deploying its initiatives and programmes for international scientists to encourage American researchers who are interested in joining the university.

The role science has to play in society is crucial and should not be called into question. Academic freedom for academics and respect for their work are essential in ensuring that they are able to carry out their work, produce and share scientific knowledge, and educate new generations. These principles, which are being challenged today, help to enlighten members of society and develop critical thinking among citizens, so that they are able to fully exercise their rights and contribute to democratic society.

“The academic freedom of scientists is being increasingly challenged internationally, at a time when it is crucial for science to remain at the heart of our concerns. This is why Université Paris-Saclay has chosen to take action for our colleagues in the United States and help them to continue their work in a peaceful and productive environment,” said Camille Galap, president of Université Paris-Saclay.

Since it was first established, Université Paris-Saclay has launched and coordinated various initiatives to welcome international students and researchers. These existing initiatives form a foundation for welcoming colleagues from the United States who are interested in pursuing their research in one of the university’s 220 top-level laboratories, in particular in environmental science, climate change, health, humanities and social sciences.

Read the full press release from Université Paris-Saclay.

Welcome initiatives at Université Paris-Saclay

• Five research positions are open to researchers currently working in the United States, or researchers who were planning on carrying out a research project in an American institution and are no longer able to. 
• Eight positions are open to doctoral students in fields related to climate and environmental science, global health, humanities, social sciences and energy transition. Eligible candidates must be students with a minimum of 5 years of higher education (a Master's degree obtained in the United States or a PhD candidate - PhD students who have passed their qualifying exam) or who have started a PhD in the United States and have at least passed their first-year assessment in the United States.
• The Chateaubriand fellowship programme is open to PhD candidates enrolled in a higher education institution in the United States, and funds stays of four to nine months co-funded by the French Embassy in the United States. A dozen PhD candidates can be hosted as part of the programme. 
• The Alembert research chairs offer stays of six to twelve months to highly qualified international scientists in one of the university’s 220 laboratories. An average of 16 scientists can be hosted per year.
• Tenure-track positions (CPJ) for PhD holders (or equivalent) are recruited on the basis of a research or teaching project. Twenty-four positions are currently on offer at Université Paris-Saclay, for candidates of all nationalities.
• CentraleSupélec, a founding member of Université Paris-Saclay, is deploying a €3M fund to welcome researchers from American universities and fund research work and projects which can no longer be carried out in the United States.